Jelena Dokic, once ranked as the world number four in tennis, has transformed her life from being an abuse victim to a thriving sports commentator, author, and motivational speaker. In her impactful TEDx speech in 2023, she declared, “I refuse to be defined and defeated by my past…. I speak up and tell the truth… I never give up on myself.” These words encapsulate her journey and resilience.
Recently, Dokic opened up about her health habits, mental wellness, and strategies for handling negativity on social media.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to Fitness
For Dokic, staying fit and healthy is a holistic endeavor that encompasses the mind, body, and soul. She emphasizes the importance of balancing exercise, nutrition, mental health, self-care, and self-kindness. “It’s about maintaining the right balance in both my private and professional life,” she explains.
Dokic enjoys staying active by engaging in various activities such as Pilates and pickleball. She also prioritizes self-care by taking breaks from her phone and ensuring adequate sleep despite her hectic schedule.
Maintaining mental health is crucial for her, and she practices gratitude and journaling daily. Enjoying a peaceful morning coffee for at least 30 minutes is part of her routine. She believes that fitness and health are personal journeys, and it’s essential to find what works best for each individual, whether it’s walking or running marathons.
Staying Motivated
Dokic finds motivation in the knowledge that she is doing something beneficial for her health and enjoys the positive effects on her physical and mental well-being. She reminds herself that even small efforts, like a 20-minute walk, are valuable.
She stays inspired by listening to podcasts and reading books focused on health and mental wellness.
Handling Online Criticism
Facing online criticism, particularly about her weight loss, Dokic has developed a resilient approach. She states, “We all face it online and in real life, but online can be worse due to anonymity.”
Dokic finds strength in speaking up for herself and others, embracing her identity, and using her voice to challenge unrealistic beauty standards that impact women’s and girls’ self-confidence. She advocates for focusing on values like kindness and continues to call out negative behavior, using her voice as a source of strength and hope.
Transforming Health Practices
Dokic acknowledges that health is not a one-size-fits-all concept. With a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure, she focuses on consuming nutritious ingredients for increased energy. She avoids late-night eating and has reduced junk food intake, opting for soups, healthy bowls, and salads, while staying hydrated with plenty of water.
Although she loves coffee, she also enjoys matcha and has incorporated gut health supplements into her routine, which have helped reduce bloating.
Building Resilience
Dokic’s resilience stems from her belief in herself and her ability to overcome challenges. “Resilient people believe in themselves and their ability to overcome setbacks and learn from them,” she asserts.
After experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma, she prioritizes mental health and emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help, which has been life-saving and crucial to her current mental well-being.
Looking Ahead
Dokic is passionate about her role as a tennis commentator, especially during the Grand Slams like the Australian Open, and hopes to continue for many years. Motivational speaking is another rewarding aspect of her career, and she plans to pursue it further.
Following the success of her bestsellers, “Unbreakable” and “Fearless,” she is planning to write more books. Additionally, she dreams of hosting a travel show to share her love for travel with others. Overall, Dokic aims to keep pushing boundaries, dreaming big, and stepping out of her comfort zone.